"A fascinating Highland tale"
Two very young sisters were taken away from their home. One
received a secret clue, from their mother, to remember her
birthright and her clan. Molly Gordon was the infamous Maid of Dunsithe, rumored to
have the largest fortune in all of Scotland. Unfortunately,
no one has seen it since Molly was taken from her home in
the dead of night. That doesn't stop people from looking
for it, or to continue passing her around from foster
family to foster family, like chattel. She longs for a
place to call home, and she is fed up with people only
wanting her for her supposed treasure. Then one night she
meets a man called Wild Fin, and everything changes. Sir Finlay MacKenzie has been granted Molly as his ward,
given to him by the King of Scotland himself. Fin goes to
collect her from her present residence, the keep of Laird
MacKinnon, only to find an attempt to thwart him from his
business with claims Molly is not there. As Fin and his men
are leaving, he is thrown from his horse, at the same time
he spies a young women hiding in the forest. Molly takes an instant dislike to Fin, from the moment he
mistakes her for a common maid to be trifled with, and she
is infuriated to discover he is her new guardian. She
chafes at his commands and shows rebellion at every turn.
Then he has the nerve to try to force her to marry him,
upon finding out Molly's previous guardian, Donald of
Sleat, has not taken the news of her transfer of
guardianship kindly. She does finally agree to marry Fin,
grudgingly, hoping she has finally found a home. However, adventure and danger await, finding Fin traveling
all over the Highlands to fight Donald. Donald wants the
fortune of Dunsithe, but doesn't stop there. He wants the
throne as well. Will Fin and Molly defeat Donald and find
the magical treasure? and love they are destined for? This was a captivating read. The characters were vividly
drawn and full of personality. Add in a few of the Fair
Folk and it becomes a magical adventure. There is plenty of
mystery as well, with the cast trying to solve the puzzle
of the hidden riches. One will be drawn in to the story
from page one and will stay absorbed through to the end. Also of note, is how well Ms. Scott sets up the story of
Bess, Molly's missing sister, believed dead. Her story will
be told in the sequel THE SECRET CLAN: THE HIDDEN HEIRESS,
to be released in 2002. THE ABDUCTED HEIRESS doesn't really
end, but gives the reader a "to be continued" feel, without
leaving the feeling Fin and Molly's story is incomplete.
This reviewer will be awaiting the sequel, and a chance to
revisit some very enchanting characters. © Kelley A. Hartsell, 2001. All rights reserved.
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted November 11, 2006
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